Warriors’ Kevin Durant will get ‘whatever he wants’...

The Golden State Warriors' Kevin Durant carries his MVP trophy as he arrives from Cleveland, Ohio at Landmark Aviation in Oakland, Calif. Saturday, June 9, 2018. after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in the ... more

The Golden State Warriors' Kevin Durant carries his MVP trophy as he arrives from Cleveland, Ohio at Landmark Aviation in Oakland, Calif. Saturday, June 9, 2018. after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals. less

Warriors forward Kevin Durant will enter free agency this summer in an enviable position: After winning his second straight NBA Finals MVP award, he can dictate the terms of his next deal with Golden State.

“Whatever he wants,” general manager Bob Myers said with a chuckle. “Sometimes you don’t negotiate.”

Durant, who will opt out of his contract before the June 29 deadline and become an unrestricted free agent, repeatedly has voiced his intention to re-sign with the Warriors. And there is little doubt that he is in line for a maximum contract.

The question, however, will be the length of his deal. Durant, who took a $9 million pay cut in July so Golden State could retain Shaun Livingston and Andre Iguodala, will try to maximize his earning potential given the state of the projected salary cap. There is no incentive for Durant to take less than a max contract because signing it wouldn’t affect how the Warriors would round out their roster this summer.

Given that he has early Bird rights, Durant is restricted to a four-year deal, not five. A four-year contract would have him earning $158.3 million — $35.3 million in 2018-19, with an annual increase of roughly $2.8 million — through the 2021-22 season.

Durant instead could sign a short-term max contract. It might make sense for him to ink a three-year deal with a player option after the second season, which would have him re-entering free agency when the salary cap is expected to jump an estimated $11 million in 2020.

Under that scenario, a 31-year-old Durant could have two lucrative options: sign a five-year, $228 million contract with Golden State, or a four-year, $170 million deal elsewhere. Durant would be eligible for a no-trade clause in 2020 with the Warriors, something the front office showed last summer with Stephen Curry that it is reluctant to include.

It is also possible that Durant would rather sign a one-year contract with a player option for the second season. According to ESPN’s front-office insider, Bobby Marks, Durant would lose $5 million in salary for 2018-19, but have full Bird rights to ink a five-year deal in summer 2019.

Such an option might intrigue Durant, given that the salary cap is expected to spike from $101 million in 2018-19 to $108 million in 2019-20. That would position him for a five-year, $219 million contract next summer, which could go down as the largest deal in NBA history.

“I think he’s enjoyed his time here,” said Myers, who doesn’t expect a lengthy negotiation with Durant this summer. “It’s been great for us and great for him. Hopefully, we can keep it going.”

Regardless of what the terms are of his next contract, Durant reportedly could see himself retiring at age 35, five seasons from now. Durant, who turns 30 in September, has made more than enough money to set up his family for life. Unlike some NBA players who play deep into their 30s for the payday, Durant intends to leave the game with his abilities still well intact.

Though he has yet to decide what to do once his playing career ends, Durant has expressed interest in owning an NBA franchise. More and more former players are transitioning into front-office roles, but Michael Jordan (Charlotte Hornets) is the only African American, and the only former player, who is the majority owner of an NBA team.

“I’d love to have him for 10 years,” Myers said of Durant. “But, Kevin Durant, look at what he did last year for us. He did us a great service. He’s earned the right to sign whatever deal he wants.

“I just want him to sign a deal. I want him to be happy and want him to know we want him as long as he wants to be here. He’s earned that right to lay out the terms.”

Connor Letourneau moved to the Golden State Warriors beat in September 2016 after a year covering Cal. Previously, he spent two years covering the Oregon State Beavers for The Oregonian. Letourneau is a University of Maryland alum who has interned for The Baltimore Sun and blogged for The New York Times. A Portland, Ore., native, he is interested in telling the stories that extend beyond the field or court.